WATERFOWL THRIVING IN WINTER'S BEAUTIES

      Every winter I watch waterfowl on various impoundments in the United States, through a live camera at each location and our computer screen.  I used too watch ducks, geese and swans "in the flesh" when I was younger, but today I get as much fun seeing those birds on our computer screen.  For example, just two weeks ago, on December 4th and 5th, 2025, I saw waterfowl thriving in winter's beauties on a couple of lakes quite distant from each other.  

     On December 4, I saw in the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania newspaper that the moon would "rise" over this area about 5:00 pm, which would be soon after sunset on that sunny day.  I knew from past experience that I could see, on our computer screen, the moon rising above a 400-qcre lake at MIddle Creek Wildlife Management Area that straddles both Lancaster and Lebanon Counties.  And I knew that ducks, Canada geese and tundra swans rested on that lake between feeding forays in nearby harvested corn fields.  A few minutes before the scheduled peeping of the moon over Middle Creek's lake, I brought that wildlife area up on our screen.  On the screen, I noted that the sun had already set, but the fields around the lake had a beautifully tawny glow in the sunset, which contrasted with nearby gray, deciduous woods, creating a lovely seen for several minutes.   

     Right on time, in the lovely, eastern-horizon glow of the striking sunset, the moon peeked, large and pale-orange above the eastern horizon, and Middle Creek's lake.  A beautiful, golden path of moonlight, which is reflected sunlight, quickly streaked across ice and open water of that impoundment, creating a lovely scene.

     Little groups of calling Canada geese and tundra swans, swimming on water or walking on ice, were attractively silhouetted black when they passed before that broad, yellow ribbon of moonlight, adding more beauty and intrigue to the scene.  Some geese and swans flying over the lake, passed, silhouetted black, in front of the constantly-rising moon,  What a thrilling, inspiring sight those birds were, even on a computer screen! 

     On December 5, I brought up on our computer, Lake Onalaska, which is back-up water from the Mississippi River in Wisconsin.  That day snow was falling on the lake and the live camera was focused on a mixed flock of mallard, northern pintail, gadwall and American wigeon ducks, plus a few each of Canada geese and tundra swans, all resting on shallow water close to a shoreline of tall grasses and bare trees that block the cold wind, sheltering those waterfowl a bit.  Every duck, goose and swan appeared to be asleep on the water, while snow piled on the feathers of their upperparts.  That snow did not melt on the resting waterfowl, which shows how well their plumages retain their body heat.  The snow on the waterfowl might even help protect the birds from body heat loss, as would another blanket.  

     The wonderful insulation of two layers of feathers on waterfowl allows those hardy birds to rest in open, shelterless habitats, including the middle of lakes and fields.  Therefore, ducks, geese and swans can take the cold, if they can get food.  But when lakes freeze over completely and fields are covered with deep snow, these birds must move on to find open water and soil to be able to feed.

     Ducks, geese and swans are beautiful and inspiring in attractive, winter habitats, thrilling people like me who enjoy experiencing vocal flocks of them in winter.  They can live in cold weather because of their waterproof, windproof double layers of feathers.        

         

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